History of Henderson County schools subject of book project

Published: Thursday, November 15, 2012 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at 6:36 p.m.

Retired educators took in a refresher course Wednesday on the history of education in Henderson County at the place where it all began — the 215-year-old Mills River Academy.

“We're on hallowed ground,” retired educator and Times-News history columnist Tom Orr told a group from the Henderson County Retired School Personnel.

The cradle of public education and government in what would become Henderson County, he added, was formed in Mills River when the first academy building opened its doors in 1797.

“School privileges for every child were in progress in Mills River 40 years before the state of North Carolina established the public school system,” he said.

The second floor of the academy was used as a meeting house for religious groups. The school was also used as a center for political activities in the county, hosting the Court of Pleas and Common Sessions before the courthouse was built in Hendersonville, Orr said.

Members of the Henderson County Education History Initiative Steering Committee hope to compile the history of all county schools in a book that may be published as early as next year. The seven-member committee formed in December and has met monthly since February.

“We have a heritage that is so rich, and we should have no problem at all in trying to get that wonderful heritage shared with other people,” Orr said.

The committee is looking for memorabilia to help them uncover an “accurate history” to document, preserve and make available to present and future generations. A room at the Central Office for Henderson County Public Schools will be used to house artifacts on loan for the initiative.

On Wednesday, the committee shared some of what it has learned regarding Mills River Academy and the Rosa Edwards School, which houses the Central Office today. The Rosa Edwards School, originally named the Fourth Avenue School, was named for the late Rosa Edwards, who served the institution 21 years as teacher and principal. Its 100th anniversary was celebrated in March.

The committee's next stop will be in Edneyville. In October, the group began collecting information on all of the schools that fed into Edneyville High. Orr said they hope to place a historic marker at the site of the old high school next May.

Edneyville School, Orr said, was probably established soon after Mills River Academy. Records show that as early as 1810, Alsen Edney, son of Samuel Edney, taught at a small building erected near his father's home, he said.

To loan memorabilia for the initiative, call Orr at 828-693-6430 or email Rick Wood at coachwood@bellsouth.net.

<p>Retired educators took in a refresher course Wednesday on the history of education in Henderson County at the place where it all began — the 215-year-old Mills River Academy. </p><p>“We're on hallowed ground,” retired educator and Times-News history columnist Tom Orr told a group from the Henderson County Retired School Personnel. </p><p>The cradle of public education and government in what would become Henderson County, he added, was formed in Mills River when the first academy building opened its doors in 1797.</p><p>“School privileges for every child were in progress in Mills River 40 years before the state of North Carolina established the public school system,” he said. </p><p>The second floor of the academy was used as a meeting house for religious groups. The school was also used as a center for political activities in the county, hosting the Court of Pleas and Common Sessions before the courthouse was built in Hendersonville, Orr said.</p><p>Members of the Henderson County Education History Initiative Steering Committee hope to compile the history of all county schools in a book that may be published as early as next year. The seven-member committee formed in December and has met monthly since February.</p><p>“We have a heritage that is so rich, and we should have no problem at all in trying to get that wonderful heritage shared with other people,” Orr said.</p><p>The committee is looking for memorabilia to help them uncover an “accurate history” to document, preserve and make available to present and future generations. A room at the Central Office for Henderson County Public Schools will be used to house artifacts on loan for the initiative.</p><p>On Wednesday, the committee shared some of what it has learned regarding Mills River Academy and the Rosa Edwards School, which houses the Central Office today. The Rosa Edwards School, originally named the Fourth Avenue School, was named for the late Rosa Edwards, who served the institution 21 years as teacher and principal. Its 100th anniversary was celebrated in March.</p><p>The committee's next stop will be in Edneyville. In October, the group began collecting information on all of the schools that fed into Edneyville High. Orr said they hope to place a historic marker at the site of the old high school next May.</p><p>Edneyville School, Orr said, was probably established soon after Mills River Academy. Records show that as early as 1810, Alsen Edney, son of Samuel Edney, taught at a small building erected near his father's home, he said.</p><p>To loan memorabilia for the initiative, call Orr at 828-693-6430 or email Rick Wood at coachwood@bellsouth.net.</p><p>Reach Weaver at emily.weaver@blueridgenow.com or 828-694-7867.</p>